The National Archives is offering two spokespersons to talk about a national
initiative that has a unique connection with Veterans Day.

WHAT: Many of the 100 documents selected for The People's Vote: 100
Documents That Shaped America, a national initiative launched by the Archivist
of the United States with President Bush, recall the sacrifices and the heroism
of the United States Military. The People's Vote invites Americans of
all ages and educational backgrounds to vote for 10 documents from the list
of 100 milestones chosen by historians and the National Archives, or to write
in their favorites.

Among the documents that tell the story of America's military men and women
are: The Declaration of War Against Germany, 1917; Eisenhower's Order of the
Day, June 6, 1944; The Servicemen's Readjustment Act, 1944; The Surrender of
Germany, 1945; The Surrender of Japan; and Executive Order 9981, Desegregating
the Armed Forces, 1948.

The voting period began September 17, 2003, and ends on December 1, 2003. The
results of the vote will be announced in a ceremony in the National Archives
Rotunda on December 15, Bill of Rights Day.

WHO: Dr. Michael Kurtz, Assistant Archivist of the United States
Ms. LeeAnn Potter, Director of Education Programs at the National Archives
Both Dr. Kurtz and Ms. Potter were instrumental in launching this national civics
initiative and can speak about the program itself and about the significance
of these documents.

BACKGROUND:The People's Vote is co-sponsored by the National
Archives, National History Day and U.S. News & World Report. It is part
of a larger project created by the National Archives and National History Day
in collaboration with USA Freedom Corps titled Our Documents: A National
Initiative on American History, Civics and Service. The purpose of this
initiative is to provide programs like The People's Vote to engage Americans
in a better understanding of the documents that shaped our country.

By logging onto www.ourdocuments.gov,
Americans can see the original 100 milestone documents, ranging from the U.S.
Constitution to the cancelled check for the purchase of Alaska; and learn more
about each of the 100 documents identified by experts at the National Archives.
The public can cast their ballot by logging onto www.usnews.com/vote.

For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at
301-837-1700.